COUNCILLORS are fighting plans to close courts.

Forty-eight jobs will go if the Government shuts Dewsbury Magistrates’ Court and County Court.

The Ministry of Justice plans to close 157 courts across the country to save £36.8m.

Councillors have handed in a motion to next week’s monthly Kirklees meeting condemning the plan.

The motion, which will be debated at Cleckheaton Town Hall on Wednesday, was submitted by Cleckheaton Lib Dem Clr Kath Pinnock and Batley Labour councillors Peter O’Neill and Shabir Pandor.

In part, it reads: “This council is alarmed by the proposals to close Dewsbury Magistrates’ Court and County Court; notes that this represents a major blow to local justice for North Kirklees; acknowledges that the Dewsbury courts provide a vital public service delivering local justice; deplores the fact that an announcement of such importance to the public has been overlooked.

“This council is further concerned that the scale of these closures will have a significant and lasting impact on the prosecution of justice.”

Meanwhile Dewsbury MP Simon Reevell has held a meeting with Minister with responsibility for HM Court Service, Jonathan Djanogly MP, regarding the proposal to close the courts.

The MP said: “I had a constructive meeting with the Minister. I explained in detail the arguments for keeping Dewsbury’s courts open and agreed with the Minister to provide full written details so that senior civil servants can consider the points in more detail.”